Anti-war politicians in Germany are urging the wives of pro-war MPs to cut off their husband's conjugal rights.

Two leading SPD politicians, both women, say a sex ban would be more effective than burning candles for peace, singing songs or chaining themselves to gates.

They are demanding that anti-war wives of war-mongering MPs hit them where it hurts and ban them from sex until they see sense.

SPD women's affairs spokesman Monica Lochner-Fischer, 50, and SPD party vice president Johanna Werner-Muggendorfer, 52, said the idea was nothing new.

They say it dates back to 410AD when the Greek poet Aristophanes wrote his play Lysistrata about the wives of warriors who tried to end the 20 year war between Athens and Sparta with a sex ban.

Ms Werner-Muggendorfer said: "We think it's a great idea. Women should be heard when it comes to stopping war, and a sex ban is one of the things we can do.

"Our Chancellor of course will not have to go without, as he is against the war."

The pair made their request in the Bavarian Parliament want the ban to start on International Women's Day on Saturday, March 8.